Montrose Travel Guide

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On the land that was once the home of Ute Chief Ouray and his wife Chipeta, this marvelous museum is a look at the native American Ute Indian's culture. On the grounds is a museum with classrooms, media centers and exhibits...Chipeta's crypt...the Chief Ouray Memorial Park...and native plants from which the Ute people used in all aspects of life.

There are teepees set up for a glance at how they were constructed. Inside the museum, we were shown a fantastic exhibit of cradleboards. The belief that a soul is reborn in the life of a new baby, the coming of a child was extremely important to the family. Children were carried in these protective, often elaboratly decorated cradleboards for many years. Often, the umbilical cord was saved and placed in an amulet or bag to be carried in the cradleboard or on the belt of the child. The grandparents would make small beaded bags in the shape of lizards or turtles for the cord, to symbolize endurance and longevity and protect the child during the growing years. A white cradleboard would represent a male child and the ochra color would be a female child.

Other displays housed the actual items owned by Chipeta, Chief Ouray and other figures that worked for the preservation of the native Americans' soul beliefs. Ceremonial robes, eagle feather headresses, knives, pottery and adornments.

It's worth the trip to the museum...it is only 3 miles out of Montrose, on Chipeta Road.

The museum is open year-round with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Summer Hours (May 15 - October 15):
Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Winter Hours (October 16 - May 14):
(November 1 - December 31): Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

(January 1 - May 14): Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed New Year's Day.

Admission is $3.00 for adults, Seniors $2.50, Children $1.50

What's so special? Well, before we left for Colorado, anyone that had been to Montrose told us we had to try it. Once we got into Denver, and met friends for lunch, they told us we had to go there to eat. When we checked into our hotel, Sylvia at the front desk suggested it strongly and gave us a coupon for free dessert.

And I'm passing the recommendation on to you. The food is good.

We each had a steak...I had a rib-eye. Fantastic. Gordie had sirloin. Loved it.

I've heard the burgers are fabulous and they one for every taste of the imagination...

A new song for Jimmy Buffett..."Changes in Altitudes, Changes in Attitudes"

The rally organizers warned us all about altitude changes affecting us physically. Being used to my home here at 104 feet above sea level...climbing and staying at 7,000 feet did affect me a little. Actually, bot Gordie and I were a little naseous a couple of days, but didn't let that stop us.

But there were people at the rally that were hospitalized for altitude sickness. The air is thinner and atmospheric pressure increases, and if you're not used to it, it can have serious adverse effects. It takes time to get used to.

It helps to drink a lot of water, but sometimes, all you can do is descend in altitude for a while.

Luggage and bags: Backpacks are a good thing to bring when traveling to Co, and while in Co. They come in very handy.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Hats... The sun can be brutal here in Co. Its hard to say what type of clothing, because here, if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes. It will change! :)
If you plan on doing any hiking, bring good comfortable shoes.

Photo Equipment: Bring lots of FILM! Because the views are awesome!

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Lots of sunscreen and bug spray. Because the Rays of the sun are extreme... And its always good to be safe. Even if you don't burn!
At night, that is when the bugs come out. So be sure to bring bug spray with a good amount of deet... Especially for hiking.

Favorite thing: We were passing through Montrose checking out the Black Canyon and as we were passing through town, we saw a little place on the edge of town called "Garlic Mike's." We took a chance and stopped by; it was around 7:45 in the evening. The place was jamming! The host was able to get us in almost immediately; he had us wait at the bar ( i recommend the Pomegranate Martini!) We were placed in a very unique booth in the "Wine Room" as the host called it. The meal was great as well as the service. Try the Escargot and the Con Pepe (Filet Mignon with a congnac and mustard-cream sauce) We ended our night with some really nice desserts. They had a ..... cant remember the name, but it was a warm madeira wine custard over vanilla gelato (AMAZING!!) We might have to come through Montrose again to try this place out again!!!

Fondest memory: The black canyon was great, and if there are more restaurants like Garlic Mike's, Montrose has some nice dinning options.